The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Protraction \Pro*trac"tion\, n. [L. protractio.]
   1. A drawing out, or continuing; the act of delaying the
      termination of a thing; prolongation; continuance; delay;
      as, the protraction of a debate.
      [1913 Webster]

            A protraction only of what is worst in life.
                                                  --Mallock.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Surv.)
      (a) The act or process of making a plot on paper.
      (b) A plot on paper.
          [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

protraction
    n 1: the consequence of being lengthened in duration [syn:
         lengthiness, prolongation, continuation,
         protraction]
    2: the act of prolonging something; "there was an indefinite
       prolongation of the peace talks" [syn: prolongation,
       protraction, perpetuation, lengthening]